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 “High heat and humidity can lead to serious health problems. It’s
important for people to recognize the signs of heat-related illness
and take action to prevent becoming sick,” said Director Shah. “To
help your body cope with high temperatures, take steps to stay cool,
increase your fluid intake, decrease your activities and wear
appropriate clothing.”
Stay Cool
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings. Cooling centers can be
found by logging onto
http://www.illinois.gov/KeepCool/Site Pages/CoolingCenters.aspx.
- Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
- Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the
hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature.
- Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least
twice a day. These may include seniors and people with chronic
health conditions.
Stay Hydrated
- Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re
thirsty to hydrate.
- Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working
or exercising outside.
- Avoid alcohol or beverages with high amounts of sugar.
Stay Informed
- Check the local news for extreme heat warnings.
- Visit www.dph.illinois.gov for heat related
information.
Normally, the body cools itself by sweating. However,
if temperatures and humidity are extremely high,
sweating is not effective in maintaining the body’s
normal temperature. If the body does not cool properly
or does not cool enough, a person may suffer a
heat-related illness, which can become serious or even
deadly if unattended. Warning signs and symptoms vary
but may include:
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness
- Skin cold, pale, and clammy
- Weak pulse
- Fainting and vomiting
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What You Should Do
- Move to a cooler location
- Lie down and loosen your clothing
- Apply cool, wet cloths to as much of your
body as possible
- Sip water
- If you have vomited and it continues, seek
medical attention immediately
Heat Stroke
Symptoms
- High body temperature (above 103?F)
- Hot, red, dry or moist skin
- Rapid and strong pulse
- Possible unconsciousness
What You Should Do
- Call 911 immediately – this is a medical emergency
- Move the person to a cooler location
- Reduce the person’s body temperature with cool cloths or
a bath
- Do NOT give fluids
People most vulnerable for heat-related illness include
the elderly, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants
and children, the homeless or poor, and people with a
chronic medical condition.
 The Illinois Department on Aging encourages relatives and
friends to make daily visits or calls to senior citizens
living alone. When temperatures and humidity are extremely
high, seniors and people with chronic health conditions
should be monitored for dehydration and other effects of
extreme heat. Additionally, seniors should eat lighter
meals, take longer and more frequent rests, and drink plenty
of fluids. Never leave anyone, including pets, alone in a closed,
parked vehicle. The air temperature inside a car rises
rapidly during hot weather and can lead to brain damage or
death.
Log onto www.ready.illinois.gov for more heat safety
information and updates on statewide weather watches,
warnings, and advisories.
[Illinois Department of Public
Health] |
